Blinking lies

Obanma's first instinct was to button up her shirt which exposed her inner wear leaving her in a partial state of dishabille. She didn't know which to be more worried about ;her immodest appearance or the death glare her siblings especially Chijioke was throwing at her.

Chijioke's eyes blazed with anger, his jaw clenched tighter as his gaze ran from Onyedikachi to her and back to him. She noticed how he tilted to the left and worried if he was still in severe pains. She didn't understand what was happening at the time and it seemed everyone in the room tried to make sense of the situation as well.

Chijioke moved forward his gaze finally fixed on Obanma who could feel herself shrinking with each step he took. Obanma could see how hard it took her brother to control his breathing with the quick rise and fall of his chest. His hands were already balled into fists, his eyes twitched uncontrollably an evidence that her brother was horn mad.

He stopped in front of her reading table, opened his mouth to speak but no words came out. Onyedikachi's hand pulled her to his side protectively as he shook but she couldn't tell if it was the right thing to do at the time. She could sense his worry but he stood his ground. His gaze narrowed to where Chijioke stood, his concentration revealed how determined how ready he was to weather whatever came from their encounter. Olumide on the other hand was the only unaffected individual in the room but he also held Adaugo for support.

Obanma could barely keep her feet steady and her eyes fell to the ground more times than she could remember. The picture of Adaugo's shock and disgust still engraved in her mind.

Chijioke's eyes fell to Obanma's waist which had Onyedikachi's hand wrapped around it. His teeth clenched harder, the thought of impaling Onyedikachi got his knuckles popping.

He looked at Obanma with disdain before his voice thundered with venom.

"Obanmanjuru I am going to ask you this one time! And I want you to answer me. Where were you?" He released a bitter chuckle and shook his head probably because the unbelief hadn't completely worn off.

Obanma opened her mouth to speak but no words came. Hot tears brimmed in her eyes and she swallowed taking in deep breaths.

" Did something cut your tongue?!!" Adaugo prodded, it was the first time she spoke since her entrance into the room.

Obanma shook her head, her mouth still wary of words.

A loud bang on her table which sent some of books crashing to the floor drew out her first words.

" Dede biko nu"

Chijioke had angrily drove his fist into the table startling both she and Onyedikachi who wasn't certain he needed to interfere at the time.

"I gara ebe ole?" Where were you? " Chijioke's voice came coldly his eyes bearing no emotion as they were still locked on Onyedikachi.

" Where the hell were you!! Are you fucking deaf? "He thundered again louder than the first time he enquired. The tears that strolled leisurely from Obanma's eyes and her little whimpers as she struggled with fear forced Onyedikachi to speak.

" Will you stop yelling at her! Can't you see she's scared"

His words only met a menacing look as Chijioke's hand gripped the edge of the table tighter.

He turned to Adaugo who was still quiet then spouted with venom.

"Will you tell this deranged cock that I was talking to my sister and not him"

Onyedikachi's eyes twitched, the strain on his self control tightened his hold on Obanma. She was the only reason he could swallow anything shoved at him without retorting.

"I.. I... Went out with Onyi" Came Obanma's squeaky voice.

"Where exactly did you go to? And Obanma honestly I'd like to hear the truth" Adaugo requested in a plea. It was reassuring that her rage wasn't as threatening as Chijioke's

Obanma's eyes wandered from her sister's face to Onyedikachi's face. His hand rubbed hers in reassurance urging her to speak.

"Why is it so difficult for you to talk eh! We've been in this place waiting for you for hours now and your neighbor told us you traveled to Enugu.

The same Enugu that Daa Agatha denied your presence after we got off the phone with her!

Tell me which should I even deal with... The fact that you left school to be with this bloody man or your lies!!!

Obanma of all the men!! Of all the men you choose to go around on kissing spree with, it turns out to be the same demented toad that you of all people should know is the last person you're supposed to be seen with !!

Is he the boyfriend? My goodness!! "

Chijioke gave a bitter laugh as Obanma nodded to his question , his feet closing the gap between him and his little sister. Onyedikachi on the other hand did not move an inch.

" What on earth are you doing with this ram eh? " Chijioke enquired

Onyedikachi swallowed hard, finding it difficult to hold back the rage that was boiling inside of him. He found it demeaning that Chijioke chose to harass Obanma with questions as if he wasn't there.

" I.. I love him, we're engaged" She finally revealed with the little courage she mustered. Obanma thought it better to reveal the whole truth at the time so that all the consequences will be dealt with at once.

Adaugo stepped forward stunned by her revelation.

"Isi gịnị?" She enquired with a whisper

"Osi love... Chai Osi engaged" Chijioke laughed menacingly. His head still shaking in disbelief. Not only was he disconcerted by the state he found his sister in, he was also fearful that the worst had happened between them which could possibly turn out to be incest if they were proven to be siblings.

He also had a strong feeling that Onyedikachi was only out to break his sister's heart in a petty revenge.

"Chai! ahụ sie la m anya I have suffered. The little brat that I've been struggling to give the best is in love.

You're in love with the same idiot that would have let you die. Who refused to give me eloaku to save your life.

Chai... You're in love! Engaged! And you think that witch of a mother he has will let you marry him! "He thundered

" Chijioke call me whatever you want but don't bring my mother into any of this before I lose my temper and forget how badly injured you are " Onyedikachi growled coming toe to toe with Chijioke.

" What on earth do you think you can do? Do you think I'm afraid of you?
Your brother tried me and he got a taste of what I am made of.. Now I suggest you keep mute before I let you feel wrath in me.

I will break your empty skull before my sister if you push me"

Olumide quickly pulled Chijioke back subtly reminding him of the doctor's parting words to calm him. Obanma on the other hand drew Onyedikachi away with a plea.

"He was the one who gave daa the eloaku ị took that day. He has saved me so many times dede... It's true" Obanma retorted in Onyedikachi's defense.

"And you believe the bastard!! I know his type Obanma. He's a womanizer and you're a prey. You're his plaything. You're a target for his revenge how can you not see it! Do you think he's forgiven our father for the death of his own father? Have you quickly forgotten that they tried to murder me? " Chijioke spat angrily

" He loves me.." Obanma replied curtly her hand gripping Onyedikachi's own tighter "We're not even certain of who stabbed you"

Chijioke flared up this time pulling away from Olumide's hold.

"So he has brainwashed you.. Eh kwa. So you believe him over your own blood brother.

What else did he do to you tell me? Did he sleep with you? He's been fucking you hasn't he?"

"Chijioke ozugo biko it's enough. She's a child let's not go into that here please" Adaugo interrupted trying to remedy the situation.

"Child kwa? No she's a grown woman who is in love and engaged to be married. She's old enough to speak for herself. It's not as if we all didn't see the show they put on" Chijioke retorted swiftly in his defense. But deep down he was frightful of what the answer would be.

" Why don't you ask me instead? Speak to me like a reasonable person. Let's settle whatever it is like grown men" Onyedikachi suggested

"Biko nu.. Tell this demented vulture for the last time that I was talking to my sister and not him" Chijioke declared with a glare. He turned to look at Obanma who's gaze couldn't meet his. She knew her brother could see through her and feared that the wrong answer would break all hell loose. She couldn't afford to put Chijioke in danger especially after his near death experience.

With her trembling lips, shaky hands and fear drowned eyes she uttered the least expected of words.

"No.. He did not touch me"

Adaugo released a breath she didn't know she had been holding for a while. She already knew how disastrous things wound have become if the answer was the other way round. Onyedikachi on the other quickly understood the need for her to lie but it still did hurt him that they had to lie.

Obanma held her breath in the bid to reduce the incessant escalated thumping of her heart. Chijioke marched to where she stood once more and assessed her features.

"Chi let's go home, we'll discuss it further there inu.

Come to the car with your things" Adaugo directed to Obanma as her fiance led her away.

Chijioke chuckled lightly as he stood before Obanma, Onyedikachi still beside her uttered no word to him. Obanma had almost celebrated overcoming her brother's assessment. He had been the only one out of her siblings who could really tell when she lied.

"Chijioke bịa wa nu" Adaugo beckoned at the door because her brother hadn't moved a muscle.

Chijioke turned to Adaugo, his hands balling back into fists. " She blinked three times, that's how I discovered she ate our chocolate that night we were searching for it"

Adaugo's mouth fell apart because she understood what Chijioke's words implied, it meant all hell had just broken loose and before she could utter a word in plea for her brother to stay put, he had already swung at Onyedikachi releasing blows to his face.

The fell onto Obanma's bed in a struggle and she quickly began to plead with the fighting men in tears, not certain of whom to rescue.

Chijioke was pummeling Onyedikachi's face incessantly into the bed while Onyedikachi tried to avoid his pounding.

"You dog!! I'll kill you today. You bastard! How dare you fucking touch my sister" were the words consistent on Chijioke's lips. Olumide in his bid to separate the men ended up with a punch on his nostril which began to bleed. Adaugo rushed to her fiance while Obanma kept shouting with each punch Onyedikachi wound up getting.

She knew somehow that he was hesitant to respond because of Chijioke's health but it left him on the defensive and his face being battered and bruised.

Quite fed up with Chijioke's attacks, Onyedikachi flung a punch with rage at him which sent him clattering to the floor after an impact with the wall.

Chijioke groaned out in pain owing to the strong impact his back had made to the wall.

Onyedikachi rushed to where he fell and raised his fist to punch him again but ended up punching the bag beside him.

"She is not to blame in any of this! Neither of us are to blame. I love your sister and you're going to have to deal with that. Quit acting like a child for God's sake. I mean you've embarrassed her enough already" His grip on Chijioke's collar lessened and he stepped away from Chijioke who Obanma ran to in fear. She helped him up but almost lost it when a huge crimson stain which became more prominent in seconds became evident on his shirt.

"Get your box, we're going to settle this in Enugu" Chijioke managed to mutter in pain.

Obanma nodded without revolt and began to pull out her box that had clattered to the floor in the rumble.

Adaugo requested for a tissue paper which Olumide used to clean his bloodied nose.

Obanma knew that the test which she had even come back for wasn't for her.

Onyedikachi held her hand as she picked up her items.

"Mma I am sorry for all of this" She only nodded and continued with her task.

"What are you going to do to her?" Onyedikachi enquired as Adaugo practically snatched Obanma's box out of her hand. His question met no answer, only a glare from Adaugo.

"Don't hurt her..... please" He still pleaded with a very much angry Adaugo who made no effort to speak.

"They're just angry... They won't really harm me. They're my siblings, they do love me" Obanma reassured him with a smile and he squeezed her hand.

"I'll come with you to make sure of it... I'll even meet your uncle" He suggested while Obanma shook her head.

" Mba No! I have to deal with this myself.. Biko. I'll be fine ịnụ" She pleaded with a reassuring smile. Her eyes were still laced with fear but Onyedikachi understood that she was also trying to avoid another situation like the present one at home.

He caressed her face, wiping tears that had begun to stroll down incessantly.

"I don't care about anything else, I don't even care about myself right now. I just want to be certain that you'll be safe that's all"

Obanma nodded swiftly "I will be"

She ran her hand across the bruises that had quickly appeared on his face and wept. "I'm really sorry about this"

The words had barely left her lips before Chijioke angrily called her to his side.

" If I ever see him with my own eyes in Enugu..... The two of us will meet our different fathers where they are and I mean every word of it"

Onyedikachi's jaw clenched at the mention of his father and the threat Chijioke casually rendered. He hated that his late father was mentioned but still held his peace.

Adaugo came back to help her brother out of the room and Kelechi entered with her eyes widened. She could tell from the state her room was in that the Obanma's siblings weren't too pleased with seeing her handsome pocket.

She quickly threw in a hug as Onyedikachi led Obanma outside the room. It was no time to ask questions and she truly feared for her friend.

Onyedikachi pulled Obanma into an embrace before he grudgingly let her enter the car, where her siblings were waiting. He couldn't help but pray that her body especially her mind remained intact till they got to Enugu. He had already began to imagine the endless harping and constant reprimanding she would receive for hours on the road and at home.

He believed they would all be on her case, it broke his heart that he wouldn't be there to protect her.

Onyedikachi placed a kiss on her forehead as they finally pulled apart.

"The minute anyone lays, their hands on you... Just call me. If you don't want to go with them you can stay.. Even if you decide you can't be in Enugu with them just let me know.

I'll be there in a split second, I promise. You're going through all of this because of me and I'm sorry about that.

I love you " He declared on a somber note which Obanma whispered the same to his hearing." They're not like that, they won't touch me"

He watched them drive away with her immediately, she stepped into the car. Her eyes were glued to where he stood and her lips gave a reassuring smile as the car sped away.

Onyedikachi angrily banged his own car with his fist. It was the effect of his frustration and exasperation with the situation combined as Obanma and her siblings disappeared completely. He felt utterly useless because he couldn't defend the angel he fell in love with.

For once he truly understood how powerless he was and it tore him a apart . He only wished with a tiny part of his heart that what ever awaited Obanma at Enugu would be fair judgment. He prayed for her safety as Kelechi led him into their room and away from the prying eyes of neighbors and lodge mates.

Hello Everyone!

How are we?

Hope we enjoyed the chapter. Whew! This feud I believe just got worse. I can't even wait to see how Onyedikachi's family will react to their decision.

I do feel for poor Obanma!

Today is also my baby sister's birthday and guess what!

Her name is Obanmanjuru!!! Obanma for short 😁😁😁😁. Yes I did borrow her name for our baby girl's character and they are very alike in character 🤔I'm beginning to notice.

Anyways join me wish her a happy birthday and many prosperous years.

Also my friend maramartha started this new book where you can anonymously give a shout out to people on Wattpad,both readers and writers titled " love lives here". Do well to check it out and drop beautiful messages for whoever has made Wattpad beautiful for you.

And while we wait for my very discouraging updates 😥😥(Please forgive me) I'd also really encourage us to check out books my these amazing writers

"Alongé" by _plethora and" Four shades "by LauraNaba. I haven't had enough time to really read but I promise it'll be an interesting read because these writers always deliver.

Lastly!

I got a very sweet message on my notification board from a reader. It really melted my heart🙈🙈🙈🙈♥️♥️♥️😍😍😍😍. Thank you so much @loisoluwa for the beautiful words.

Do not forget to vote, comment and share. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️Love you all.